Happy Holidays

Hello Everyone, My apologies for not updated this blog for a while. I just plain forgot about it for a couple months. I also had a war with my Christmas cards this year and lost horribly. Thank you to everyone who sent us a card--I will try agian next year to send our Christmas cards your way. I wanted to show you how the holidays went for us!

This is the best way to explain Thanksgiving and Christmas in a nutshell: Turkey, Turkey and more Turkey! First we celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving in October and had Turkey then we made a trip back to Seattle for Thanksgiving and had Turkey and then Turkey for Christmas Eve and Turkey for Christmas day! What is dutch girl supposed to do without ham for one of these meals??? Can someone help me out here? So I bought a ham--just could not do without!

We had a wonderful time in Seattle visiting with family and friends. While we were gone Dan got a call from FedEx in Winnipeg asking if he would want to start working. This was a surprise--he gave them his resume 7 months earlier and thought there was still a hiring freeze. He has now been working for FedEx for about a month now and we are happy to have steady hours and benefits again. Dan is still studying to be a firefighter and planning on applying in the spring when they are hiring. He was surprised to find out that there are a few firefighters who work for FedEx on their days off, so he may keep that job when he is hired on with the city.

Here in Winnipeg, the holidays bring a lot of white stuff and cold temperatures which I seem to be coping with pretty well--if I can say so :) We received our first big snowfall on Christmas Eve day--about 5 inches--it was so fun!


This is a picture of the snow falling--can't really tell.



Roxy's first snow print, right outside the front door. I tried to put her out in a snowbank to take a picture but she kept running towards the house before I could take it. I guess she doesn't like the snow too much--go figure!


2009 Christmas Tree


Spoiled little Roxy with her Christmas bow.


Annual street hockey game with the Carriere Men--the old guys always win!


On New Years Eve, we watched Team Canada vs Team USA Juniors. USA lost--can you believe it?! That was hard to take because I was the only one cheering for the US in a room with 6 Canadians--Where were you guys?! Oh and by the way--yes I did dye my hair brown, no need to adjust your screen :)


We took this picture last night. -35 C or -25 F ***It was a little chilly***

I have been continuing in my job search and trusting God for a good job in the last few months. Finally, a couple weeks ago I got a call from a company wanting to interview me. So I went downtown Winnipeg for the interview and they told me the they could not tell me a lot about the job because it is for an Executive Assistant job for the CEO of a large company in Winnipeg. I told them that I would be interesting in that position. So before I left day I had three separate interviews, including one with the CEO and found out later that week that I got the job! I start on the 7th of January. It sounds like a great job for a growing company called Groupworks.


This is the building I will be working in.

That is the story over the last couple months. These are some things that Daniel and I are praying for right now and we would love your support in prayer if think of us.

-Dan's studies for firefighting and that God would prepare a spot for him with the city.
-Sarah starting her new job on the 7th.
-Finding new renters for our home in Everett. Our current renters decided not to renew their lease--so we need to find new renters by the 1st of March. If you know anyone looking to rent a great house send them our way:)

Thanks for your support. We love you all very much! We hope you had a wonderful Christmas and wish you all the best in 2010!

Sunny September

September is not half bad in Winnipeg. Third week in and it is still around 85 degrees everyday--can't complain. I am completely in denial about seeing the first signs of the cold winter coming up. I will be honest though, there is a tree down the road that is loosing its leaves---nooooooooooooooo!
Anyway September has turned out to be a very busy and exciting month. Let me tell you all about it friends. The month started out with a bang--Dan came back from Texas and his cousin Josh and wife Audrey visited for two weeks from California. It was so great to have them around and hang out. They just left this last Sunday so we are having Josh and Audrey withdrawals now--come back guys--we miss you! The month also started out great because I (Sarah) was surprised to open my mail box one day and find a working visa inside! Everyone say Yeah! I have been sending out resumes ever since. Here in the land of Canada, receiving a working visa also means that you can enroll in the provincial medical plan and get your social number. So, in other words we are officially in business. I am free to work, get sick, and get a credit card. Yes! I have been applying for numerous positions in social work and some government support positions. Excited to see which job God is going to bless me with.
Dan started classes again this past Monday for EMR training (emergency responder). He is in class from 8 to 5 all week. By the end of this week he will know what to do at the scene of an accident and how to deliver a baby--among other things. So far he has been enjoying these classes and excited about all that he is learning.
There are two more weeks of excitement left in September. The 24th is our 5th anniversary already! We decided to do something really crazy and go to Grand Forks, North Dakota for the weekend and stalk up on our American goods. Kinda sounds sad huh? But it should be fun! The 30th will be my 28th birthday too. So it is a month of partying and celebrations.
We would love your continued prayers for Dan's testing coming up and my job searching. Please email us if there is anything you need prayer for--we want to be there for our friends and family and have seen how much prayer makes a difference in the last couple months. Let us know. Until next time!

P.S. I think many people are confused about how Dan's fire training and hiring process is working--so this is the tentative schedule:
Currently--taking EMR classes. The lecture portion will be done this Saturday. Then he has hands on training once a week for a month or two. Then he takes the Provincial tests to become a EMR. With this training he will be able to work on a Ambulance.
Then Dan will need to go back to Texas to take his pump operations training and testing. That teaches him how to work all the water mechanisms on a fire truck.
Then the last big thing he needs to do is get his air brake license--so he can drive a fire truck.
The city hiring for fire fighters only happens once or twice a year and there is a rumor that they are planning a hiring for November. So we are waiting for that announcement and hoping that Dan will have everything finished. Hope that clears everything up. Thanks!

August = Dan the Fire Man

Oh August! This month has had it's share of trials. The first couple weeks we were preparing for Dan to go to Texas and the last two weeks I could not wait for Dan to come home from Texas. What the heck is in Texas you ask? Only the two best fire schools in North America, where they put the men who come as students, through two weeks of intense military style fire training. We are so thankful for all the prayers God answered in those two weeks. The entire time is Texas it was about 110 degrees and Dan was outside in that weather with 70 pounds of fire gear from 8 to 5. As some of you know, Dan he gets migraines from being in the sun, so I was praying that he would get through this time without any headaches. Turns out he did not have one migraine and he did excellent with all his training. He also had to take his final exams and he passed with a 92%! I am so proud of him and his hard work. Thanks to everyone who said a few prayers for Dan, he definetly saw the results. Here are a few pictures of Dan while he was training:
Dan after fighter his first two fires.

Practicing the Jaws of Life

Propelling for 5 stories

Dan's group, Engine Company 6 practicing for the calender already :)

All the guys, Dan is in the second row, third in from left.

For more of Daniel as a fireman, click on the picture slideshow and you will be directed to our picture website. Thanks! Stay tuned for more news about September, only three days in but so much has happened!

I love being an Immigrant!

I guess I have some catching up to do on my blog. I have not been feeling much like blogging lately. I guess cause life is just not terribly exciting and I don't want to be boring. Anyway, July was a busy month here in the Carriere household. We started off with a bang on July 1st, which is Canada Day. Many of you are probably wondering why is Canada Day so close to July 4th? Is it because Canada decided to copy the USA and make a July holiday? Actually, no there is a reason for this holiday and I had to Google to put my curiosity to rest and to make sure that I know my stuff when I am hanging out with all my Canadian peeps. Google says, "On, July 1, 1867, the British North America Act created the Canadian federal government. This Act stated that Canada would become an independent dominion (territory) of England." And we all know that whatever Google comes up with is true--so there you go! Now we all know!

After July 1st came the most uneventful July 4th of my entire life. It was like 4th of July did not exist--what is wrong with these people?!?! You would think I am not living in the States or something! I was longing for a good American BBQ and watching people risk their lives by shooting off fireworks in their driveways.

Then I was off to Seattle for two whole weeks. Daniel stayed in Winnipeg and lived the lonely life of a bachelor while I was gone. My two weeks in Seattle were well spent. I went on a company retreat to Victoria, BC. Went camping with the family in Hood River. Had a wonderful 7th birthday for my beautiful nieces and finished off my time hanging out with friends, family and getting some extra work done.

Being an immigrant is not too bad! Come on in guys, the water is just fine!

For the Love of June...

I spent the last two wonderful weeks with my parents! They came and visited us for one week and then I drove down to Chicago for my cousins wedding. The last two weeks have been a blast. While my parents were in Winnipeg we had lots of fun times. Mom and I went shopping of course and we stayed in a cabin at Clear Lake, Manitoba. Daniels parents and Uncle Jamie and Aunt Cathy also came with. Here is recap...

My Dad's and Uncle Jamie--Unplanned Red Day and Daniel on his way to his class

At Clear Lake--wild Buffalo--so cute

Chicago Bean and a Boat ride at Navy Pier

Crazy fountain in Chicago and a few of my wonderful cousins.

On our road trip to Chicago we planned a stop at the Mall of America. Mom and I closed that place down--we had so much fun. Then it was off to Chicago for the wedding. Um, I forgot to take a picture of the bride and groom but I will hopefully have one for you shortly. I can't believe that I did not capture that on film or digital card, whatever you are supposed to say these days. Had lots of fun in Chicago and then I drove the rental car all the way back to the Peg all alone--that was a long drive! Now I am back in the Peg for a couple weeks and then I will be jumping on a plane for Seattle to stay for two weeks. So excited to see all my family and friends soon.

Feeling Better, Happy Day!

Thank you to everyone who was sending up prayers for my Dad. The results of the Angiogram showed that none of his arteries were blocked. We all let out a sigh of relief with that news, but there was still the mystery of what was causing his symptoms. They ran a lot of tests, which all came back negative. The doctors finally came to the conclusion that my Dad was suffering from an infection in his heart. They quickly put him on steroids and antibiotics to clear the infection and they seem to be doing the trick. My Dad called today and he is back to his normal, wonderful self and can't wait to get out of the hospital. Thanks again for all your prayers and thank you God for your healing.